Gay Marriage Update: California begins June 17; public support rises; NY to recognize out-of-state unions [video]
“Effective June 17, 2008, only the enclosed new forms may be issued for the issuance of marriage licenses in California.”
A quote from a directive from Janet McKee, chief ot the California office of Vital records. Instead of “bride and groom” the forms now contain spaces for “Party A and Party B.” Previously registered domestic partners are also to be accommodated. (San Jose Mercury News)
“To deny this fundamental constitutional right to same-sex couples based on speculation about what might happen in November would not merely be inappropriate, it would be inhumane.”
A portion of San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera‘s brief filed against an attempt by an anti-gay group to delay the implmentation of same-sex marriages following the California Supreme Court’s recent ruling. (San Jose Mercury News)
“For the first time in over three decades of polling on the issue of same-sex marriage laws, The Field Poll finds more California voters approving than disapproving of allowing same-sex couples the right to marry and having regular marriage laws apply to them. In a survey completed May 17-26 among a random sample of 1,052 registered voters the idea of allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry is now approved by a 51% to 42% margin statewide.”
The opening paragraph from the results of a new poll conducted by Mark DiCamillo and Mervin Field for the Field Research Corporation. The poll shows that support has grown and opposition dwindled regarding recognition of same-sex marriages, and a slim majority finally appears to approve. (Field.com)
“The memo was a response to the [NY Court of Appeals] decision…. The governor has been an unequivocal supporter of marriage equality and once the [same-sex marriage] bill passes both houses he won’t hesitate to sign.”
Risa Heller, spokeswoman for New York’s governor, David Paterson, who issued an order to state agencies to overhaul regulations to recognize same-sex unions, because they “should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union. In February, a court ruled that a community college in NY could not deny benefits to a lesbian couple that were married in Canada. An appeal against that pro-gay ruling was rejected on May 8. (Newsday)
“Basically we’ve done everything we can do on marriage legislatively at this point…. But there are tools in our tool kit on the executive side, and this is one.”
Sean Patrick Maloney, a senior adviser to Mr. Paterson, regarding the NY governor’s directive. (Newsday)
“We would extend to people who are married in other states, whether of opposite sex or of the same sex, the same equal opportunities in New York…. I am taking the same approach that this state always has, with respect, to out-of-state — or marriages conducted in foreign governments being recognized here in the state of New York.”
New York State Governor David Paterson during a press briefing on his decision to have state agencies overhaul policies regarding the recognition of same-sex marriages. (Associated Press via You Tube)
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